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Tag: full-time officials

Embed from Getty Images Roughing the passer could be subject to review It may still be a long-shot for 2017, but the NFL continues to consider adding an eighth official. Dean Blandino, senior vice president of officiating, says the league is considering adding an eighth official and that addition might free up the referee…

Click the image to enlarge. It is time to kick off the new football season! Here are some numbers for all of the zebra watchers out there. Enjoy! Designed and researched by Ben Austro. Sources: NFL Record and Fact Book (2013, 2008, 2000); Pro-Football-Reference.com (Coleman, Freeman, McKinnely); Football Zebras, “Officiating crews for the 2013 season“;…

The first hire under the leadership of the new vice president of officiating, Dean Blandino, has brought Alberto Riveron into the league office as senior director of officiating. Adam Schefter reported the hire Tuesday morning. Riveron was in New York City in January to, presumably, interview for the vice-president position, when Carl Johnson announced that…

After a month of silence, the typical 11th hour negotiation cram sessions are now underway between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association. The game officials have been locked out since June 3, but negotiations have resumed today after sitting on ice for 34 days. Mike Arnold, lead negotiator for the NFLRA, issued a short…

A few days ago, I had a theory that the NFL wanted to make officials full-time and that it was a roadblock in the negotiations with the NFL Referees Association. The union referees have been replaced by the NFL until a collective bargaining agreement can be reached. Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter of ESPN are…